Beets

The beet (Beta vulgaris) is a subfamily in the Amaranthaceae family, grown for their fleshy roots which are consumed as a vegetable. Beets grow for a long time underground.

Sowing & planting

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F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Flowering

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F

M

A

M

J

J

A

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O

N

D

Harvestint

J

F

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A

M

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J

A

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O

N

D

Caracteristics

Exposition

Water needs

Granulométrie

plants.granulometry_4

Frost-resistance

High

Zone USDA

6a

Height

20 - 40

pH

7

Identify my beets

The beet (Beta vulgaris) is a subfamily in the Amaranthaceae family, grown for their fleshy roots which are consumed as a vegetable.
Among beets grown as vegetables, one of the most famous is Crapaudine, a very old, rustic variety that grows slowly and is known for it's long, large, and very productive red-black roots. There is also the precocious Flat of Egypt beet, with it's black roots that rest barely beneath the soil. Did you know?
The cultivated, dicotyledonous, apetalous beets we know today actually derived from sea beets (now classified as Beta vulgaris ((L.) Archangeli)

Sow my beets

To get the most out of your beets, you stagger sowing from March all the way until June.
In March, sow under cover. You can move them to a nursery for the month of April, then plant them outside in May or June. It's best to leave the sow in place, and leave the seedlings undisturbed.
Sow in seed holes with 3 or 4 seeds every 30 cm, 2 cm deep, in rows 30 cm apart.
First growth should appear after one week. Once the first real leaves appear, keep only one of the plants that is in each seed hole.

Thin out my beets

After seeding in place, keep only one plant per seed hole.

Dibble my beets

Transplanting may be done once the plants each have 5 leaves, for those you didn't sow directly. Begin by cutting the end of the leaves and the roots, soaking the latter to incite growth.

Plant my beets

Like most root vegetables, beets don't like excess moisture. You must therefore prepare a light, fresh, deep soil that is rich in humus. Full sun exposure is recommended.

Mulch my beets

Mulch fairly heavily, so you can avoid the chores of watering and weeding.

Water my beets

Beets don't like to be thirsty — keep an eye on the soil during their entire growth. Water as soon as the soil is dry!

Harvesting my beets

You may start your harvest in the middle of July if you sowed in April, and continue as you need until the first frosts.

Check on my beets

Beets may fall victim to mildew, leaf rust or cercospora fungi, three diseases which all attack the leaves. As for the roots, they may be targeted by white grubs (mayfly larvae).
Respecting "proper" growing practices (adding manure and compost, rotating cultures, moderate watering) will always be a good means of prevention against insect attacks and diseases.
Chopped up leaves and bits of cabbage spread over the rows will chase off white grubs.
Numerous natural predators, such as birds and hedgehogs, feed on maggots and caterpillars. You must therefore try to preserve the habitat of these useful allies.